I want to teach
Education majors love to help and give back to students. Most teachers were inspired by those who once taught them, often referring to working in education as a “calling.” They are involved in a multitude of responsibilities, from planning, to instruction, to making sure each student is cared and loved for. Teachers rely on organization, passion, communication and creativity to fuel their everyday works.
Career Snapshot
- Median Salary - $26,970-$78,470
- Work Environment - Elementary, Middle, High and Postsecondary Schools and Universities, Libraries, and Businesses
Things to think about
Top qualities and skills needed for teaching careers:
Creativity
Graphic designers should possess artistic ability and good understanding of color, texture and light. It is important to develop new and innovative ideas to create brand identities for businesses.
Communication
Teachers work with not only students, but other faculty including principals and guidance counselors, and parents. In order to do so they have to be able to switch into different styles to communicate effectively with each audience. Reading into students non-verbal communication is also an important skill to identifying their needs.
Organization
Teachers work with not only students, but other faculty including principals and guidance counselors, and parents. In order to do so they have to be able to switch into different styles to communicate effectively with each audience. Reading into students non-verbal communication is also an important skill to identifying their needs.
Adaptability/Problem solving
With teaching, flexibility is key because you never know what is going to happen that day: unexpected assembly or fire drill, a new student, students absent, or a complete change of plans. You have to be able to think on your feet and plan for the unexpected.
Top Five
There are a variety of majors at that can help prepare you for the future.
Most surprising majors
Handshake Job Search Terms
- Teach
- Public
- Charter
- Children
- School
Things You Can Do
Seek opportunities on campus to start developing skills.
Get Involved
Almost every club and student organization has a position for someone interested in education. that fits your interests and try to volunteer and give back to others.
Get Connected
Understanding how other educators got their start in education is an important start. Some programs are very linear while others are not as clear. For example, students who want to teach secondary education would major in the specific area that they would like to teach. Stay up to date on what peers, and faculty are doing by looking at the College of Education calendar of events CoE Events
Get Experience
Find opputunities to develop the skills needed to reach and educate others. Working with children at summer and day camps can help with this. Training and assisting people from the community in various tasks. Volunteering for events or even helping with tutoring programs at local schools. Find these opportunities through:
- - Login and search using keywords like “teach”
- Handshake - Login and search by industry, job function or keyword
- Volunteer Resource Center - Search the calendar or organization database
Get Engaged
Connect with other students through the Center for Student Involvement and get engaged by participating in different campus events and organizations. Enhance your knowledge and skills with CU Engage, the university’s Center for Community-Based Learning and Research.
Get Informed
Researching different school districts in the private and public school system, elementary, middle, high and even college. Use to learn more about careers in education.